One of the injuries that NBA players expect to have at some point in their career is a hip injury due to worn-out joints. Interestingly, the problem is not limited to active players because some NBA players discover they need hip replacement after retirement.
NBA players with hip replacements include Isaiah Thomas, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevon Looney, and Michael Carter-Williams. These players suffered different hip injuries, such as hip flexor strains, hip bursitis, labral tears, hamstring strains, and hip impingement, and needed surgery.
In this article, I’ll discuss NBA players with injuries that require a hip replacement. I’ll also mention how long they spent away and the effect of the surgery on their performance.
1. Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah Thomas has been playing professional basketball for years. His name featured prominently from 2015 to 2017 when he played for Bolton Celtics. Before then, he played for the Washington Huskies, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns.
In 2017, Isaiah started complaining of discomfort and pain in his right hip during a game against Minnesota Timberwolves. He didn’t play the next two seasons. However, two months later, during Game 2, when the Celtics were playing against the Cavaliers, Isaiah Thomas had a labral tear on the same hip.
Over the years, Isaiah has played for other teams, including Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers. He also got 10-day contracts with multiple teams, such as the New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Maverick, Lakers, and Charlotte Hornets.
He tried different treatment options, including physiotherapy. However, his performance dropped significantly, forcing the Clippers to waive his acquisition just two days after taking him on. In 2020, he opted for the hip resurfacing procedure, a hip replacement surgery.
This treatment got him better mobility and a smoother joint surface. Doctors expect a full recovery and better performance on the court when he fully recovers.
2. LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge currently plays for the Nets, Brooklyn. He had a left hip injury in 2012, six years after the NBA drafted him when a nasty fall left him with a fractured right hip joint. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the labral tear and was away for a season.
Fortunately, he recovered fully to become a 6-time (2012-2016, 2018) All-Star. In 2022, he suffered a right hip impingement that forced him to miss nine nets games.
This video analyzes hip replacement surgery, its benefits, and its drawbacks.
3. Kevon Looney
Kevon Looney has been in the NBA since 2015 and plays for the Golden State Warriors. He suffered a hip injury the same year he joined the NBA and had hip replacement surgery for a torn labrum.
He took six months off to recuperate, and when he was back in the game, he was in excellent shape. He proved this by becoming a two-time NBA champion in 2017 and 2018.
4. Michael Carter-Williams
Michael Carter-Williams plays for Orlando Magic. The NBA drafted him in 2013. Unfortunately, his career has been plagued with injuries, including a hip injury that has seen him miss several games.
In 2016, he had left hip replacement surgery for a torn labrum. He was away for three months. He has also suffered knee and ankle injuries that have been a setback to his career.